Director Ben Lemoine, center, sits with some of the students featured in 'The Experiment,' his award-winning examination of New Orleans schools.

An examination of the post-Katrina New Orleans public school system, a documentary about a 4-year-old marathon runner, and a drama about one family's dealing with the coming-out of an estranged brother all took top honors Sunday night as the New Orleans Film Festival handed out its 2011 awards.

The festival -- which continues through Thursday (Oct. 20) -- recognized films in nine categories, with the winners each receiving a movie camera and other prizes.

Best documentary feature: "Marathon Boy," director Gemma Atwal's recounting of the astonishing story of an Indian preschooler who takes up long-distance running - much to the chagrin of child-welfare officials. Want to see it?: "Marathon Boy" sreens again Wednesday (Oct. 19) at 5:35 p.m. at the Theatres at Canal Place.

Best Louisiana feature: "The Experiment," reporter Ben Lemoine's examination of the problems facing Orleans Parish public schools in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Honorable mention: "Flood Streets," with a special recognition to actress Taylor Slade of the drama "My Friend Oscar." Want to see it?: "The Experiment" screens again at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Contemporary Arts Center, 900 Camp St.

Best Louisiana short, documentary: "Chasing Dreams: A Leah Chase Story," directed by William Sabourin O'Reilly. Honorable mention: "Cade," by Tony Ledet.Want to see it?: The Louisiana documentary shorts program screens Tuesday (Oct. 18) at 5:30 p.m. at the Theatres at Canal Place.

Best Louisiana short, narrative: "Destiny Lives Down the Road," directed by Patrick Jackson and Daneeta Loretta Jackson. Honorable mention: "In the Garden," by Zac Manuel. Want to see it? "Destiny Lives Down the Road" screens again tonight (Oct. 17) at 5:25 p.m. at Canal Place as part of the Louisiana Narrative Shorts 1 program.

Best narrative short: "Benny," directed by Huay-Bing Law.

Best documentary short: "Broken Doors," directed by Goro Toshima. Want to see it? "Broken Doors" screens tonight (Oct. 17) at 5:25 at Canal Plae as part of the Documentary Shorts program.

Best experimental short: "The Voyagers," directed by Penny Lane. Honorable mention: "Four Cubic Feet of Space," by Tony Gault. Want to see it? "The Voyagers" screens at 9:45 p.m. Wednesday at Canal Place as part of the Experimental Shorts program.

Best animated short: "The Lady ParaNorma," directed by Vincent Marcone. Honorable mention: "(notes on) biology," by Danny Madden. Want to see it? "The Lady ParaNormal" screens at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Canal Place as part of the Animated Shorts program.

Ticketing and other information

Tickets for all New Orleans Film Festival events are available at the festival's headquarters at the Contemporary Arts Center (900 Camp St.) from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily; or at the screening venue (box offices open one hour before the first film of the day at that venue.) Tickets for all screenings are $10 ($8 for New Orleans Film Society members) unless otherwise noted.